Today, seasonal allergies have hit me full swing. Between sneezing, headaches, and the like, I've been enjoying the beginning of fall (not really) by feeling out of sorts, and trying to stay focused on my tasks at hand. Today, I haven't really felt up to my personal study time, fulfilling my duties to the church, or anything else for that matter. Yet I don't think it was an accident that today my personal study, as well as the bi-weekly video study I produce, breached the topic of Jesus washing His disciples' feet, knowing that it was just hours before He was to be betrayed and delivered in to the hands of His enemies to be crucified. I wonder if Jesus wrestled with washing Judas' feet (He did mention that Judas would betray Him in all 4 Gospels), or struggled with Peter as Peter protested knowing Peter would deny Jesus 3 times. I don't see this struggle in Jesus' mind or life, but I do see Him washing feet. He did it because it was the right thing to do, and He always did the right thing.
Many believers struggle with the "feelings" aspect of service, or even following the commands of Christ. We obey how we feel in the moment, as opposed to doing what is right to do. Our feelings are easily manipulated, and Jesus' example shows us that, whatever we may be feeling, we should always strive to do what is right, in service and love to His Father, as well as to our friends, and even our enemies. If we don't feel like doing something we know God is calling us to, whether we're fearful, don't feel we have the funds, or are just not in the mood, we should do it anyway. Christ endured the cross for us, we can give up our comfort for Him. John 13:1-20 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Comments